Tourney run made Trojans’ season

After struggling in regular season, Southeastern turned it on for tournament.

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By By Michael Cooper, Staff Writer Updated 10:44 AM Friday, March 12, 2010

SPRINGFIELD — Southeastern High School girls basketball coach Jim Lightle wants his team to remember every second of this year’s run to the Division IV regional semifinals.

He believes it can only help the Trojans next season.

“That’s what it’s going to take every day in the regular season, not just the tournament,” Lightle said. “I want them to remember what it took and the sacrifices they had to make. We want to get to work this summer and get back here.”

After a tough regular season where they finished 11-9 and finished fourth in the Ohio Heritage Conference, the Trojans (15-10) turned their year around in the postseason.

They beat Lockland and Cincinnati Summit Country Day before defeating Cincinnati Seven Hills to advance to the districts for the second year in a row.

They beat Riverside before nearly advancing to the regional finals in a 44-43 overtime loss to Tri-Village on Thursday, March 11.

“It stings right now, especially for the three seniors,” Lightle said. “It was a great run. It made our season. We’re district champions. No one can take that away from us. It’s something to be proud about. The younger kids know what it takes and hopefully they’ll want to get back as bad as I do.”

The Trojans did a stellar job defensively, holding Tri-Village post player Kayla Linkous to just seven points. But it was the rest of the Tri-Village’s supporting cast — including Kaila Burns, who had 14 points and nailed four 3-pointers after making just one 3-pointer all year — who hurt the Trojans.

“The farther you go in the tournament the lower the scores are,” Lightle said. “Tri-Village deserves all the credit. If you would’ve told me we held (Linkous) to under 10 points, I’d think my chances were good. Their other players picked it up and that’s a credit to them.”

He said the Trojans’ will to win grew as the season progressed — and that’s what fueled the tournament run.

“Early in the season, I think some of the hunger wasn’t there,” Lightle said. “I think we’ve developed that and bonded together a little closer. I think that’s what made it possible.”

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